The Secret Portrait

( 9 )

Overview

Fleeing an academic scandal and a broken marriage, Jean Fairbairn has come to Scotland to work for an Edinburgh-based history and travel magazine. Writing about the Scottish national pastime of playing illusion off reality is just the quiet, scholarly pursuit she needs to soothe her burned-out emotions.

But when Jean heads for the Highlands to investigate the 18th century mystery of Bonnie Prince Charlie's lost treasure, she finds herself ...

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The Secret Portrait [Fairbairn/Cameron Mystery Series Book 1]

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More About This Book

Overview

Fleeing an academic scandal and a broken marriage, Jean Fairbairn has come to Scotland to work for an Edinburgh-based history and travel magazine. Writing about the Scottish national pastime of playing illusion off reality is just the quiet, scholarly pursuit she needs to soothe her burned-out emotions.

But when Jean heads for the Highlands to investigate the 18th century mystery of Bonnie Prince Charlie's lost treasure, she finds herself involved in a contemporary murder case--and not as an innocent bystander, either.

Alasdair Cameron, the police detective in charge, has his own perspective on reality and illusion. The American dot-com millionaire living out his tartan fantasies in a restored mansion is the loosest of loose cannons. His trophy wife isn't necessarily standing by her man. Their housekeeper knows what's going to happen before it does. And their youth piper is a kilted daydream, even though his parents are nightmares.

At Glendessary House, old wounds and old glories aren't distant memories evoked over a glass of single-malt, to the skirl of the pipes. Here, they are up close, personal, and deadly.

It's a good thing Jean has back-up in Edinburgh. Because if butting heads--not to mention hearts--with Cameron isn't enough to do her in, then a killer is waiting and watching, with a motive for murder not hidden nearly deeply enough in the past.

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Editorial Reviews

Library Journal
In pursuit of information about Bonnie Prince Charlie's legendary lost gold, reporter Jean Fairburn discovers a new corpse instead. Before all is said and done, she tangles with a nouveau-riche Stuart aficionado and Inspector Cameron. An entertaining blend of policing and sleuthing. A former librarian, Carl also writes fantasy (Lucifer's Crown). Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
A Louis d'Or coin whose owner wants it authenticated pitches American historian Jean Fairbairn, a partner in the magazine Great Scot, into mystery and mayhem in the Western Highlands. The client, George Lovelace, is involved in research for the wealthy American Rick MacLyon, who's purchased and restored Glendessary House from the son of Archie MacSorley, Lovelace's WWII training partner. When Jean arrives to interview MacLyon, she discovers Lovelace garroted and hanging from a hook in the game larder. The enigmatic D.C.I. Alasdair Cameron and Jean slowly develop a relationship that allows the Chief Inspector to benefit from the fruits of her research into what's really going on at Glendessary. Rick's attractive young wife, Vanessa, seems to have her feet firmly planted, but she and her husband are involved in a Jacobite secret society. The plot thickens when the MacLyon chef dies in a suspicious car accident caused by supercilious Charlotte MacSorley. Her snobbish husband Kiernan and their dishy, musically talented son Neil have motives but apparently solid alibis. Dogged detective work reveals the killer, but only the ghost of Archie MacSorley prevents Jean from becoming another victim. Mystery, history and sexual tension blend with a taste of the wild beauty of the Highlands: an enjoyable tale, if a wee bit too long.
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781557429230
  • Publisher: Wildside Press
  • Publication date: 5/5/2006
  • Pages: 300
  • Sales rank: 950,772
  • Product dimensions: 5.50 (w) x 8.50 (h) x 0.67 (d)

Customer Reviews

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( 9 )
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Sort by: Showing all of 9 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted February 1, 2012

    highly recommend

    enjoyed reading this book so much had to get another from the author, that one was just as good

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 10, 2013

    New author to me

    First time ive read by this author. Book was good def would suggest. Likable characters strong story a dash of history patriotic tones mixed wiyh mystery all without pointless ravishing of damsels needing saved. Kudos!

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